Old Shire Hall (University Office)

DURHAM AND FRAMWELLGATE

NZ 2742 SE 15/300

OLD ELVET (South side) Old Shire Hall (University Office)

II

County Council headquarters, now offices. 1896-8 by H. Barnes and F.E. Coates with extensions of 1905. Built by Rankin of Sunderland. Bright red engineering brick with copious terracotta dressings; sandstone ashlar dressings on extension. Graduated Lakeland slate roofs with terracotta crestings, copper dome. Baroque style. Original building 2 storeys and basement, 9 bays with a subsidiary bay set back at right. Centre and end bays project, the former under square tower with drum and dome, the latter under high Flemish gables. Steps to central entrance with wrought-iron screen in keyed and rusticated architrave. Round- arched windows, paired on first floor, in similar openings. Balustrades below first-floor windows. Floor entablatures, the upper with modillion cornice and blocking course. Irregularly-placed corniced chimneys. Terra-cotta area balustrades sweep up to form handrails for steps. Extension of 3 wide bays, banded in stone and brick, the left bay projecting. Outer bays have attic gables. Extruded porch with stone dome above high shaped parapet. Groups of 3 windows, the lower in keyed and rusticated architraves, the upper segment-headed with architraves and rusticated column jambs. Stone modillioned continuous eaves cornice. Dentil-corniced chimneys.

Interior: rich decoration of terra-cotta and glazed tiles to halls, staircases, principal rooms and ante-rooms. Good quality woodwork by Robson, wrought-iron by Singer of Frome, throughout, and interesting stained glass: pictorial, didactic and decorative.

Listing NGR: NZ2774442322